HIGHLIGHTS

By his early 30s, Hari Krishna had earned more academic degrees and became more engaged in his field of study than most people do in a lifetime. He completed his Doctorate degree in Engineering from Utah State University in 1979, graduating Phi Kappa Phi. His Ph.D. degree in Agricultural & Irrigation Engineering with a considerable amount of supporting course work from the Department of Civil Engineering led him to a vast career in water resources management and conservation. Along with the rigors of his demanding course work to handle, Hari also decided to immerse himself more fully in the field of Water Resources Engineering by joining numerous academic organizations on campus.

While living in Logan, Hari became a part of the campus community by joining the Engineering Honor Society (Tau Beta Pi) and the Scientific Research Society (Sigma Xi). These honor societies require their members to maintain a high GPA and equally high academic ambitions, and Hari Krishna was a great addition to these groups. He was not only involved in student organizations but was also a member of other professional organizations in his field. Hari was a student member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Water Resources Association (AWRA), and the American Institute of Hydrology (AIH).

Being involved in so many organizations was part of Hari's goal to participate fully in his chosen field and create a good reputation for himself among his fellow colleagues. Hari contributes his success in part to his determination to stay up-to-date in his field. He continued to stay in contact with the professional societies he had joined during his doctoral work, and he also founded a brand new association. Hari described how he took the initiative to start a new organization, "I founded the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) in 1994, working in an honorary capacity to promote rainwater harvesting and to grow the organization. ARCSA is now a well-known national and international organization with over 700 members." This organization has helped to build his portfolio of work and to be recognized in the field of Water Conservation and Management; he served as President of ARCSA for over 10 years. Hari is currently the Vice President of the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA), based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Following his graduation from Utah State, Hari worked briefly for the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This UN agency focuses on providing food security for the global population. As a highly qualified professional, Hari also entered the world of academia and taught at Utah State, Texas A& M University and at the University of the Virgin Islands where he was also the Director of the Water Resources Research Institute. Later, he worked for the Texas State Government, and was awarded the Texas Environmental Excellence Award. Nationally, Hari has been recognized by "Who's Who in Science and Engineering", "American Men & Women of Science" and by "Who's Who in America". The USU College of Engineering awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award to him in 1997. Recently, the Distance Learning Classroom at the Utah State University College of Engineering has been named in honor of Hari and his wife Laxmi.

An important component to the success of Dr. Krishna has been his determination to pursue a rigorous academic program even though earning a Doctorate in Engineering may have been more demanding than some other majors. Hari suggests to today's young men and women to "Choose a major that has a good potential for future employment and growth, such as Science, Math, Engineering, Medicine/Health Care or Business. Your goal should be to work hard in your academic pursuits and graduate with a high GPA. If possible, try and earn a graduate degree."

Hari continues to have fond memories of his time in Logan and the many friends he and his wife made there. He feels that" Utahns are among the most genuine and friendly people that he has met anywhere in the world". He remembers many of his professors from the late 1970s including his advisor Dr. Robert W. Hill who he says "helped me write a superior and well-respected doctoral dissertation, that I am still proud of more than 30 years later."

Currently, Hari is enjoying the fruits of his hard work as a successful professional. He has been appointed as a Commissioner of Resource Management for the City of Austin, where he and his wife have lived for the past 20 years. They celebrate their 40th anniversary this month.

Utah State University celebrated its 124th Founders Day event on March 2, 2012. The event was sold out to capacity with over 400 guests including many alumni, faculty, staff and administrators attending. USU also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act by President Abraham Lincoln. This act established the land-grant system in the United States, which opened the way for the founding of Utah State.

USU alumna, Kaye T. Jorgensen, was the evening's Master of Ceremonies. Kaye and her husband, Bruce, also an alumnus, have been long-time supporters of the university.

Dr. Mary Sias was the featured speaker. Even though her parents only received an eighth-grade education, for Mary Sias and her siblings, it was never a question of whether or not they’d attend college — but where.

Sias, now president of Kentucky State University, grew up in a segregated Jackson, Miss. She attended high school using textbooks “left over from the white schools,” but sometimes it wasn’t all of the book, she told attendees at a Founders Day dinner at the Utah State University Stevenson Ballroom on Friday night.

Sias went on to attend Tougaloo College, receiving the college’s highest academic distinction. When she brought home straight As, her father told her to do “a little bit better.”

But one of her finest moments in education was receiving a master’s and doctorate in sociology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison — the state’s land-grant institution.

“My life changed, the life of my family changed and my job changed — all because of a land-grant institution,” Sias said in her keynote address. “The breadth (of its curriculum) has not only impacted me, but every life I’ve touched. ... That’s what land-grants do — the doors open for people. They not only have a rich history, they improve the lives around them.”

They're engineers, music educators and accountants. They are proud members of the Utah State University Alumni Band.

Some are recent graduates starting careers, while others are easing gratefully into retirement. The band is the common bond that unites them each summer to continue one of the popular traditions on the Utah State University campus.

The band's tradition goes back to 1963, when the group was founded by USU Music Department faculty member Max Dalby. The creation of the band came as a request. University administrators approached Dalby at that time because they were concerned there wasn't anything for summer school students to do on campus on Sunday evenings. The idea for the band was born, and Dalby created a popular and ongoing tradition as a service to campus.

But, the tradition has become much more. It is a program that was quickly embraced by the community and is a popular feature on the USU campus today. It is a sure signal that summer has arrived in Cache Valley, whether the band performs indoors or out.

The Utah State University Alumni Association now has its own page on Facebook. Here you can find information specific to Utah State Alumni. Find out about upcoming events, read news, and view pictures from the past Buzzers.

Out with the old and in with the new. Utah State University Alumni Association has made a switch from using the online community inCircle to using Harris Connect's Online Directory as a way to help USU Alumni stay connected with the university and with each other. The Online Directory allows users to search for classmates, update their profile and their information with USU, stay up-to-date with upcoming Utah State events, and register for events easily with autofill registration options.

For more information on joining the Harris Online Directory click here.

The Long Term Care Producer Group (LTCPG) has been helping the Alumni with their Long Term Care planning and insurance needs for many years. They work closely with all of the top-rated Long Term Care insurance companies in America to be absolutely positive that Alumnus needs are met, and to be sure that if a Long Term Care insurance policy is the right answer, that the Alumnus gets the right policy, from the right company, for the right price.

More information on long term care insurance and other alumni benefits, click here

Did you earn a degree from USU? You can now send your child to Utah State and their out-of-state tuition differential will be waived. Stay connected through the next generation of Aggies. We'd love to have them here!

* Be admitted to Utah State University.
* Have at least one parent who earned an associate degree or higher from Utah State University (verification required).
* Enroll at USU as a first-time student.

Time spent in Utah on the Alumni Legacy Nonresident Waiver cannot be counted towards establishing resident student status. If you would like to discuss other options, please email Tad Sorenson at tad.sorenson@usu.edu.

Scribble staffers began work winter quarter for the spring publication. Norma McVey, Paul Olson, Auer Anderson, Bobbie Lu Stearman, Tom Jones, and Gary Rosine check last minute prepartions as the book is prepared for the press.

Buzzers are available online! Click here to go to the Buzzer Yearbooks Collection at the USU Digital Library.

Come and join other Aggies at the 5th Annual Aggie Family Day at Lagoon. Everyone is invited to come to the Meadows Pavilion at 6 p.m. to meet other Aggies, enjoy FREE Aggie Ice Cream and to enter to win door prizes. Discounted tickets can be purchased through the USU Alumni Association and your tickets will be available at the USU Will-Call table at Lagoon on June 29. All individuals are admitted to Lagoon-A-Beach.

ALUMNI TRAVEL

Is Machu Picchu on your list of "must see" destinations? Don't miss this opportunity to visit the fascinating land of Peru with visits to Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Discovered in 1911 by American Explorer Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu is one of the most renowned examples of Incan architecture. Thrill to the sights and sounds of the Amazon Rain Forest, watch Red-bellied Macaws near Lake Sandoval (an area known for its abundant wildlife), or explore the ancient history that makes up this enchanting land. View the brochure for complete itinerary and pricing.

Immerse yourself in Capri, with its stunning panoramas. Spend a day in Rome reveling in magnificent monuments from the Colosseum to the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Explore the fabled architecture of Renaissance Florence. See the sights and enjoy the views of historic old Marseille and visit the charming fishing port of Cassis. Pre-registration is going on now.

Savor the tropical splendor of emerald-green palms, white sand beaches, and brilliant turquoise waters as you sail aboard the luxurious Oceania Cruises Marina to the most stunning destinations in the South Pacific, the gorgeous Polynesian islands. Experience a cruise with the finest service, accommodations, and cuisine at sea, where every port of call is an island paradise. Admire multihued lagoons around Moorea, be engulfed by tropical splendor at Huahine, "The Garden Island," and discover the region's cultural heritage on beautiful Raiatea. Watch a sunset on romantic Bora Bora, and wander the black sand beaches of Nuku Hiva. Sail to Hiva Oa, artist Paul Gauguin's idyllic island home, and enchant your senses with colorful sea life on Rangiroa before returning to Papeete on the lovely island of Tahiti. Set adrift, catch the breeze, and discover Polynesia's most beautiful gems on this exceptional voyage.

CONNECTIONS

As Utah State University (USU) graduates enter an uncertain job market, the advice of an alumnus provides valuable insight, encouragement, and networking opportunities. In cooperation with the Alumni Association, you are invited to join Career Services' Student Alumni Mentor Network (SAMN), an exclusive network for USU alumni and current students. By participating in SAMN you can:

Support students’ employment goals

Expand your own professional and social network by joining us on SAMN, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Invite your employer to recruit USU students and alumni for internship, entry-level and experienced positions

Please feel free to stop by when you are on campus. The career coaches at Career Services are excited to facilitate your campus visit and professional career success.

New photos from the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pre-game party and the halftime presentation honoring USU at the Wichita State men's basketball game have been added to the Utah State Flickr Group.

Show your Aggie pride by sharing your USU related pictures on the Utah State Flickr group!

Flickr is one of the best online photo management and sharing applications available. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone.

To update your records, simply complete the online form and we will make the necessary changes so you can continue to receive the Utah State University Magazine; invitations to our many alumni events; and information about our other exciting promotions and publications.

The law firm of Parr Brown Gee & Loveless is pleased to announce that Mary Ann May has joined the firm’s Litigation group with an emphasis in employment law.

Ms. May received her B.S. degree, cum laude, in Psychology from Utah State Universityin 2003. She earned her Juris Doctor, Order of the Coif, with Highest Honors, from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2010. At graduation, Ms. May received the Dean’s Award for highest cumulative GPA in her class. During law school she served as an Articles Editor for the Utah Law Review and as a Legal Methods and ASP Teaching Assistant.

Prior to joining Parr Brown, Ms. May served as a judicial law clerk for Matthew B. Durrant, Associate Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court. In addition, she was a Quinney Research Fellow at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, a judicial intern to the Honorable Michael W. McConnell of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and a Volunteer for the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center. Prior to earning her J.D., Ms. May worked as an EO Investigator for the University of Utah’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

David Hamblin
BS '06

Highlight:

I began my studies at USU in the Fall semester of 2002. I met my wife, Jill Griffeth, while at USU during the Fall semester of 2003. She was the secretary in the ECE department that school year, and luckily our off-campus lives crossed paths just enough for me to justify asking her out. We dated in the spring of 2004 and were married later that summer. The year 2005 brought the birth of our first child, Rasmussen (RJ), as well as the completion of my Bachelor's Degree and the beginning of my employment at Hill AFB for the US Air Force. In 2006, we bought our first home, and in 2007 we welcomed our second child, Aribella, into our family. I returned to USU for graduate school in the Fall of 2007 as part of a sponsorship by my employer, where I was able to attend school full-time for one year while still maintaining my full salary and benefits. I completed a Master of Engineering degree after the Summer semester of 2008, and returned to work at that time. In 2009, our third child, Knightley, was born, and I was given a new assignment at work as a Systems Engineer. Life has been good to us, and we are proud to be an Aggie family!

Obituaries

ATHLETICS

LOGAN, Utah - Sophomore Paige Jones shared the Utah State gymnastics Senior Night spotlight by winning two events plus the all-around Monday night, as USU posted a 193.675. BYU won the dual with a 195.525, in the Aggies' final home regular-season meet at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

In USU's last home tune-up before hosting the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday, March 24, Jones won the all-around with a career-high 39.200, topping the 39.000 mark for the second time in her career, and took top honors on vault with a 9.850. She notched the same score on bars to share the event win with BYU's Raquel Willman.

Freshman Sarah Landes was second in the all-around with a 39.075, her fifth score of 39.000 or higher. Senior Rebecca Holliday notched a 37.900 in the all-around to place fourth, behind BYU's Willman in third with a 38.775.

Holliday and fellow senior Haley Hogan were honored with a post-meet ceremony featuring USU Athletics Director Scott Barnes and head coach Jeff Richards, along with their parents.

On beam, Willman won the event with a 9.875, while teammates Krysten Koval and Jennifer Lezeu shared the floor title with 9.850's.

Landes was the top Aggie gymnast on beam, placing fourth with a 9.800, just ahead of Hogan's career-best tying 9.775, which was matched by freshman Ashley Follett with a career-high along with BYU's Koval for a three-way tie for fifth. Jones and Landes both posted 9.800's on floor to tie for third with BYU's Mickell Merrell.

Logan, Utah - Utah State veteran track and field head coach Gregg Gensel was named the NCAA Division I Mountain Region Women's Coach of the Year as announced Monday by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

"I am always honored to get awards like this, but it is the work that my assistants do and the way the athletes compete that make these awards possible," Gensel said. "I am deeply honored that my peers voted for me."

This is Gensel's second Mountain Region Coach of the Year honor as he garnered the accolade in 2007 on the men's side. In his time at USU, Gensel has now been honored with Coach of the Year accolades 35 times. He has also led Utah State to 37 track & field and cross country conference championships while coaching 33 All-Americans.

Gensel was also named the Western Athletic Conference Women's Coach of the Year after leading the Aggie women to their first WAC indoor title and the first conference indoor title since the USU women won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title in 1994.

Andersen Reuniting With Former Fellow Utah Coach; Also Names Former Aggie Standout Fiefia As Graduate Assistant

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State football head coach Gary Andersen named Mike Sanford as USU's new assistant head coach, Andersen announced Tuesday. Sanford will coach the Aggies' running backs and tight ends.

"I'm extremely honored and excited to be a part of Utah State football. I believe that Utah State is one of the top programs on the rise in the country, especially the western United States. Last season was definitely a strong indicator of that. I have tremendous respect for Gary Andersen and to be a part of his staff is a great privilege, and I'm thrilled to be coaching with him again. I had the opportunity to be on the same staff as him while at Utah and coaching against him when I was at UNLV, and I have a lot of respect and admiration for him as a football coach. It is a great honor to be a part of not only his staff but a part of Utah State Aggie football," Sanford said.

Sanford and Andersen will be reuniting after being together on the University of Utah staff in 2004, when Andersen was the Utes' defensive line coach and Sanford was offensive coordinator and running backs coach.

"When hiring an assistant coach, you always want to find someone who puts the student-athletes first and is the best coach out there, and Coach Sanford definitely fits both of those. I am extremely familiar with his coaching style and philosophies from coaching with him as well as coaching against him throughout the years. He brings a wealth of coaching knowledge and experience to our program having been at every level from the small college, all the way through to the NFL. He is a great addition to our staff and we're excited to have him join our Aggie football family," Andersen said.